Following a report on Rochdale Online on Thursday (4 September) regarding the submission of a planning application for a wind farm at Rooley Moor, a number of those objecting to the plans have come forward with their concerns.

Graham Wright, from the Friends of Rooley Moor Road, said: “With another massive expansion to Scout Moor Wind farm also planned by Peel Holdings/UU, if these plans by Coronation Power are given the go ahead there will be further devastation to the countryside. The historic Rooley Moor Road will be forever blighted and the Pennine Bridleway National trail will be put at risk, especially by the horse riding society who fears the close proximity of the massive and noisy turbines to the much loved trail.

“The feeling is locally that whilst most people would agree that renewable energy is welcome that here on our remaining precious moorland we now have more than our fair share of turbines and the associated infrastructure, the preservation of an important part of our history [Rooley Moor Road] should be enough in itself for these destructive plans to be thrown out. We will be urging our many friends and supporters to write to their local councils to object in the strongest terms to this planning application. Hopefully the local councillors will see sense and throw the plans out.”

Chris Thomas from Peers Clough Farm, said: “These applications would have a huge and devastating impact on many aspects of the local area. I feel there should be a combination of sources, combined with a drive to decrease the consumption of unnecessary energy by an increasingly insatiable and selfish market unaccustomed to self-control.

“I say enough is enough, we have sacrificed enough of our countryside. As someone trying to build and promote an equine tourism business, I am feeling despair. As a horse rider I am feeling marginalised and as a lover of the countryside I feel as though the mighty juggernaut of consumerism and profit driven industry is about to destroy more of the precious environment we need for our real wellbeing and sanity.”

Irene Pope, from Rochdale Bury Bridleways Association (RBBA), said: “RBBA is very concerned about the proximity of 16 turbines to The Mary Towneley Loop, a National Trail, part of The Pennine Bridleway. These turbines will make it very dangerous for riders to negotiate the bridleway and will thus sever this 47 mile round ride.”

Those against the wind farm have also held protest walks against the proposed plans and turned out at consultations regarding the wind farm to air their thoughts.

Plans have now been submitted by Coronation Power to both Rochdale and Rossendale Council for the development of a twelve turbine wind farm but it is yet unknown when a final decision will be made.

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